Rocker covers

[Bill Accord]

My 23 10b has 2 holes in each rocker cover. Was someone along the line just trying to save time to oil felts or is that the way it is supposed to be?

[3makes]

Having had a Series 10, it sounds as if some one was too lazy to remove the rocker box covers to oil the felt pads.

Edited May 12, 2022 by 3makes
spelling correction (see edit history)

[Bill Accord]

That is what I was thinking. Should the holes be plugged? Or should I just leave well enough alone?

[RansomEli]

My '21 9B has two holes in each rocker cover. Use them to oil the felt pads. Been working for 30 years and no problems at all.

 

For kicks, I checked my spare '21 9B engine -- it has no holes. So, I guess it's a Franklin mechanic's trick-of-the-trade.

 

I wouldn't plug up the holes. Leave well enough alone.

 

Edited June 4, 2022 by RansomEli (see edit history)

[JFranklin]

My '20s Nash has holes in the cover to oil the rockers so maybe yours are factory.

Edited June 3, 2022 by JFranklin (see edit history)

[PFitz]

Franklin didn't put holes in the valve covers until the sidedraft engines came out in in 1930 (see the factory drawings). And even at that, it was just a breather hole partially hidden by the wire bails that hold the sidedraft engine valve covers on. 

 

Some owners admit to adding holes to make oiling the valve pads easier, but then you can either under, or over, oil them.

 

The factory recommended method of proper oil amount was to pinch the pad between thumb and index finger. If the pad shows wet with oil around where your pinching, that's enough. More than that just leaks oil out onto the motor where it can cause problems with the starting, ignition, and charging systems and smoke from burning on the exhaust system. 

 

Paul 

Edited June 4, 2022 by PFitz (see edit history)